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Portland Breakers
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| Portland Breakers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| General information | |||
| Founded | 1982 | ||
| Folded | 1985 | ||
| Headquartered | Civic Stadium in Portland, Oregon | ||
| Colors | Breaker Blue, Royal Blue, Silver, White | ||
| Personnel | |||
| Owners | 1983 George Matthews and Randy Vataha 1984 Joseph Canizaro, Neal Kaye Sr. and Randy Vataha 1985 Joseph Canizaro | ||
| Head coach | 1983–1985 Dick Coury (25-29) | ||
| Team history | |||
| |||
| Home fields | |||
| |||
| League / conference affiliations | |||
United States Football League (1983–1985)
| |||
The Portland Breakers were an American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) in the mid-1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans Breakers.[1]
A new United States Football League – legally distinct from its predecessor, but using its team nicknames – was started in April 2022. A new version of the New Orleans Breakers was one of eight teams competing.[2] On December 19, 2023, the USFL informed its players union that the Breakers would not be among four USFL teams to be contracted as part of the league's upcoming merger with the XFL.[3]
History
[edit]Boston Breakers
[edit]The team started out in 1983 as the Boston Breakers, owned by Boston businessman George Matthews and former New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Vataha. However, finding a stadium proved difficult. The lack of a professional-quality stadium had stymied previous attempts at pro football in Boston before the Patriots arrived in 1960.
The largest stadium in the region was Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, home of the Patriots. However, it was owned by the Sullivan family, owners of the Patriots, and Matthews and Vataha were not willing to have an NFL team as their landlord. As a result, their initial choice for a home facility was Harvard Stadium, but Harvard University rejected them almost out of hand. They finally settled on Nickerson Field on the campus of Boston University, which seated only 21,000 people – the smallest stadium in the league.[4] The team's cheerleaders were called "Heartbreakers".
Coach Dick Coury put together a fairly competitive team led by quarterback Johnnie Walton (then 36 years old, a former Continental Football League and World Football League alumnus who had been out of football since the late 1970s) and Canadian Football League veteran halfback Richard Crump. The Breakers finished 11–7, finishing one game behind the Chicago Blitz for the final playoff spot. Walton, who had retired from pro football years earlier and had spent the previous three years coaching college football, was the league's seventh ranked passer. Coury was named coach of the year.
Despite fielding a fairly solid team, playing in Nickerson Field doomed the team in Boston. The stadium had been built in 1915 as Braves Field and had not aged well. It was so small that the Breakers lost money even when they sold out as visiting teams got a portion of the gate proceeds. The Breakers and Washington Federals were the only teams to draw fewer than 14,000 per game in 1983. The other 10 teams drew over 18,000 per game. (The fans who came to the games were generally passionate; the documentary Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL? made note of a particular Breakers victory in which fans stormed the field afterward.)
Concluding that Nickerson Field was not suitable even for temporary use, Matthews again approached Harvard, but the school refused again. He then hashed out a deal to move to Foxborough, but ultimately decided against being a tenant of an NFL team. He considered an offer to sell a stake in the team to Jacksonville, Florida businessman Fred Bullard, but pulled out after Bullard proposed firing Coury in favor of Florida State coach Bobby Bowden. (Bullard would ultimately land an expansion franchise, the Jacksonville Bulls.) After floating offers to move to Seattle, Honolulu, and Portland, Matthews decided to move to New Orleans. He sold a 31 percent interest to New Orleans real estate developer Joe Canizaro, and the move was approved by the USFL on October 18, 1983. Matthews later sold his remaining stake to Canizaro, but Vataha remained as team president.[4]
New Orleans Breakers
[edit]In New Orleans, the team played in the Louisiana Superdome, also home to the NFL's New Orleans Saints. They started out the season 5–0, and all signs pointed to them running away with the Southern Division. However, they only won three more games to finish 8–10. This included a 35–0 thrashing by the Philadelphia Stars and losses in their last six games, a skid fittingly capped off with an embarrassment by the Washington Federals in the season finale. In spite of adding NFL star tight end Dan Ross and rookie halfbacks Buford Jordan and Marcus Dupree (whose signing was technically against USFL rules as he was underage), the team struggled. Walton was inconsistent and ultimately retired after the season, while Dupree would experience constant problems with his knees throughout his time with the Breakers.
Years later, defensive lineman Jeff Gaylord recalled that the Breakers' slide came because many of his teammates were sucked into New Orleans' drug culture. According to Gaylord, cocaine use ran rampant in the locker room, and its lure was too strong for many of his teammates who had grown up poor.[5]
On the positive side, New Orleans supported the team well, averaging 30,557 per game. Many of them came to see Dupree, who grew up in neighboring Mississippi. Jordan ran for 1,276 yards (fourth in the league), and Ross and wide receiver Frank Lockett had strong years.
After the season, league owners decided to go for broke and move to a fall schedule starting in 1986. This put teams like New Orleans, Michigan, and Philadelphia in an awkward situation. Canizaro believed he could not hope to compete directly with the Saints, even though the Breakers were one of the few USFL teams that could have potentially run their NFL rivals out of town. At the time, the Saints were mired in decades-long mediocrity, having only managed to get to .500 twice in their history. Then-owner John W. Mecom Jr. was looking to sell or move the team. However, rather than play a lame-duck spring 1985 season in New Orleans, Canizaro opted to move the team for the second time in as many years.
Tommy Lister Jr. attempted to cross over into football after a successful track and field career at California State University, Los Angeles; he played the 1984 preseason with the team but failed to make the regular season roster. Lister then returned to Los Angeles, where he pursued an acting and professional wrestling career.[6]
1984 New Orleans Breakers schedule
[edit]| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason | |||||||||
| 1 | Bye | ||||||||
| 2 | Bye | ||||||||
| 3 | February 11 | at Birmingham Stallions | L 10–30 | 0–1 | Legion Field | 12,000 | |||
| 4 | February 18 | vs. Memphis Showboats | W 20–0 | 1–1 | Cajun Field | ||||
| Regular season | |||||||||
| 1 | February 26 | at San Antonio Gunslingers | W 13–10 | 1–0 | Alamo Stadium | 18,233 | |||
| 2 | March 4 | at Oakland Invaders | W 13–0 | 2–0 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 41,200 | |||
| 3 | March 12 | Memphis Showboats | W 37–14 | 3–0 | Louisiana Superdome | 45,269 | |||
| 4 | March 19 | at Jacksonville Bulls | W 38–9 | 4–0 | Gator Bowl Stadium | 48,303 | |||
| 5 | March 25 | Chicago Blitz | W 41–35 (OT) | 5–0 | Louisiana Superdome | 43,692 | |||
| 6 | April 2 | at Birmingham Stallions | L 17–31 | 5–1 | Legion Field | 28,100 | |||
| 7 | April 8 | Pittsburgh Maulers | W 27–24 | 6–1 | Louisiana Superdome | 39,315 | |||
| 8 | April 16 | Tampa Bay Bandits | L 13–35 | 6–2 | Louisiana Superdome | 35,634 | |||
| 9 | April 22 | Denver Gold | W 20–18 | 7–2 | Louisiana Superdome | 22,139 | |||
| 10 | April 27 | at Philadelphia Stars | L 0–35 | 7–3 | Veterans Stadium | 34,011 | |||
| 11 | May 7 | Arizona Wranglers | L 13–28 | 7–4 | Louisiana Superdome | 22,937 | |||
| 12 | May 13 | Michigan Panthers | W 10–3 | 8–4 | Louisiana Superdome | 21,053 | |||
| 13 | May 20 | at Tampa Bay Bandits | L 20–31 | 8–5 | Tampa Stadium | 42,592 | |||
| 14 | May 27 | Birmingham Stallions | L 14–31 | 8–6 | Louisiana Superdome | 23,748 | |||
| 15 | June 1 | at Memphis Showboats | L 17–20 | 8–7 | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium | 31,198 | |||
| 16 | June 10 | at New Jersey Generals | L 21–31 | 8–8 | Giants Stadium | 23,114 | |||
| 17 | June 15 | Jacksonville Bulls | L 17–20 (OT) | 8–9 | Louisiana Superdome | 21,233 | |||
| 18 | June 24 | at Washington Federals | L 17–20 | 8–10 | RFK Stadium | 6,386 | |||
Portland Breakers
[edit]Searching for a home, Canizaro considered moving to Sacramento and Columbus, and even weighed merging with the Birmingham Stallions. However, he was particularly intrigued when he visited Portland. It was a fairly large market with a reasonably adequate facility by USFL standards, Civic Stadium (which seated 32,000 people at the time). The move to Portland was announced on November 13, 1984.[1] It marked a return home of sorts for Coury, who had led the World Football League's Portland Storm in 1974. Initially, Portland seemed to welcome the Breakers with open arms. The Breakers sold 6,000 of its highest-priced tickets within twelve hours.[4]
On the field the team struggled, as the strain of playing in three cities in three years finally caught up with them. The team opted to go with former Jacksonville starter Matt Robinson, made expendable when the Bulls acquired Brian Sipe from the New Jersey Generals, as Walton's replacement, rather than seeking a more proven USFL quarterback without a home, like Craig Penrose, Alan Risher, or Mike Hohensee, or trading for someone like Oakland's Fred Besana, or even signing an NFL veteran. Robinson, who failed to displace established starters Richard Todd (New York Jets) and Craig Morton (Denver Broncos) in the NFL, ultimately proved to be a less-than-adequate replacement for Walton, finishing with a 62.6 QB rating. Halfback Jordan had another strong year with over 800 yards gained, as did Lockett. However, their season effectively ended when Dupree suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener. While they managed to upend four playoff teams, they never recovered from a six-game losing streak and finished 6–12, going 0-9 on the road.
The Breakers were one of nine teams slated to play in the USFL's first fall season and were slated to be one of only two teams west of the Mississippi River. However, they had only drawn 19,919 per game, not enough to break even. This was partly because Civic Stadium was in an area of downtown with little parking (a stop on the MAX Light Rail line would not open for another decade).[4] With such meager attendance, meeting payroll became an adventure. At one point midway through the season, the players were only paid every other week. With four games to go, the checks stopped coming altogether.[5] They were forced to waive their entire roster after missing their final payroll. Coury later recalled that he and his staff never got paid the full salaries stipulated in their contracts.[4]
After talks to merge with other teams failed, Canizaro folded the franchise while the USFL's antitrust suit against the NFL was underway, citing over $17 million in losses over three years. It had been obvious even before Canizaro folded the franchise that the Breakers would never play another down.
Canizaro was the only league owner who moved his team twice and both moves were long distance. There was some discussion of transplanting the Denver Gold organization to Portland, but this idea was abandoned as the Gold (whose owners opposed moving to the fall) instead merged with the Jacksonville Bulls. The entire league suspended operations not long after, when it was awarded only three dollars in damages.
The Breakers had the distinction of being the only team to play for the entire duration of the USFL for three cities, each season in a different city without relocating mid-season. Unlike many USFL teams, the Breakers never changed its name, logo, or colors when it relocated.
1985 Portland Breakers schedule
[edit]| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason | ||||||||
| 1 | Bye | |||||||
| 2 | February 9 | vs. Denver Gold | L 9–27 | 0–1 | Pomona, California | |||
| 3 | February 16 | vs. Los Angeles Express | L 17–38 | 0–2 | John Shepard Stadium, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles, California |
5,500 | ||
| Regular season | ||||||||
| 1 | February 24 | at Arizona Outlaws | L 7–9 | 0–1 | Sun Devil Stadium | 20,351 | ||
| 2 | March 2 | Los Angeles Express | W 14–10 | 1–1 | Civic Stadium | 25,232 | ||
| 3 | March 10 | at Denver Gold | L 17–29 | 1–2 | Mile High Stadium | 17,870 | ||
| 4 | March 16 | Orlando Renegades | W 23–17 | 2–2 | Civic Stadium | 25,885 | ||
| 5 | March 24 | at Houston Gamblers | L 20–27 | 2–3 | Houston Astrodome | 22,031 | ||
| 6 | April 1 | San Antonio Gunslingers | L 0–33 | 2–4 | Civic Stadium | 19,882 | ||
| 7 | April 6 | Oakland Invaders | W 30–17 | 3–4 | Civic Stadium | 23,388 | ||
| 8 | April 14 | at New Jersey Generals | L 7–34 | 3–5 | Giants Stadium | 38,245 | ||
| 9 | April 21 | at Baltimore Stars | L 17–26 | 3–6 | Byrd Stadium | 14,832 | ||
| 10 | April 27 | at Los Angeles Express | L 12–17 | 3–7 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 8,410 | ||
| 11 | May 6 | Houston Gamblers | L 7–45 | 3–8 | Civic Stadium | 18,457 | ||
| 12 | May 11 | at Birmingham Stallions | L 0–14 | 3–9 | Legion Field | 28,500 | ||
| 13 | May 19 | Arizona Outlaws | L 21–30 | 3–10 | Civic Stadium | 15,275 | ||
| 14 | May 25 | Memphis Showboats | W 17–14 | 4–10 | Civic Stadium | 16,682 | ||
| 15 | June 2 | at Oakland Invaders | L 20–38 | 4–11 | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum | 12,740 | ||
| 16 | June 8 | Tampa Bay Bandits | W 27–24 | 5–11 | Civic Stadium | 15,521 | ||
| 17 | June 14 | Denver Gold | W 23–17 | 6–11 | Civic Stadium | 18,953 | ||
| 18 | June 23 | at San Antonio Gunslingers | L 13–21 | 6–12 | Alamo Stadium | 19,603 | ||
Top "name" players
[edit]Among the top "name" Breakers players were: linebacker Marcus Marek; halfbacks Marcus Dupree and Buford Jordan; quarterbacks Johnnie Walton and Matt Robinson; kicker Tim Mazzetti; punter Jeff Gossett; offensive tackle Broderick Thompson; and tight end Dan Ross.
Coaches and executives
[edit]Coury was the team's coach for all three seasons. He was no stranger to Portland, having coached the Storm of the World Football League in 1974. Defensive coordinator was the late Pokey Allen who would later take Portland State University to two national championship games. Division I journeyman Bob Shaw who was hired after leaving Lou Holtz's staff at the University of Arkansas and served in both New Orleans and Portland. The offensive coordinator during the 1983 season was College Football Hall of Fame and former NFL Most Valuable Player Roman Gabriel. After the 1984 season, Jim Fassel was hired as offensive coordinator, but after five months on the job, he left to become head coach at the University of Utah. In 1985, the offensive coordinator was Pete Kettela, a former head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos. Allen would hire former Breaker executive Steven "Dream" Weaver as his marketing director and whose publicity stunts raised his Portland State teams to national acclaim. The team president for the Portland Breakers was John Ralston, who was also a founder of the USFL. Other executives included Jack Galmiche, John Brunelle, and Brian Feldman. Feldman was the only executive who worked in all three cities.
Single-season leaders
[edit]- Rushing Yards: 1,296 (1984), Buford Jordan
- Receiving Yards: 1,189 (1984), Frank Lockett
- Passing Yards: 3,772 (1983), Johnnie Walton
Season-by-season
[edit]| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Breakers | |||||
| 1983 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 2nd Atlantic | -- |
| New Orleans Breakers | |||||
| 1984 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 3rd EC Southern | -- |
| Portland Breakers | |||||
| 1985 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 5th WC | -- |
| Totals | 25 | 29 | 0 | ||
Head coaches
[edit]- Dick Coury (1983–1985)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Baum, Bob (November 14, 1984). "Portland latest home of Breakers". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. p. 1D.
- ^ "USFL unveils team cities, nicknames and logos for 2022 debut". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ "Four USFL teams survive merger with XFL. But many loyal Breakers' fans have reached out to the UFL to urge them to bring the team back in 2025". NBC Sports. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Reeths, Paul (2017). The United States Football League, 1982-1986. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-1476667447.
- ^ a b Pearlman, Jeff (2018). Football For A Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0544454385.
- ^ Lee, Kirby (March 27, 1994). "Taking a Shot at Films: Cal State L.A. shotput title-holder Tommie Lister Jr. transferred his athletic success to pro wrestling—and now acting". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ statscrew.com 1984 New Orleans Breakers Game-by-Game Results Retrieved December 28, 2018
- ^ usflsite.com 1984 USFL Season Retrieved December 28, 2018
- ^ profootballarchives.com 1984 New Orleans Breakers (USFL) Retrieved December 28, 2018
- ^ statscrew.com 1985 Portland Breakers Game-by-Game Results
- ^ usflsite.com 1985 USFL Season Retrieved December 28, 2018
- ^ profootballarchives.com 1985 Portland Breakers (USFL) Retrieved December 28, 2018
External links
[edit]Portland Breakers
View on GrokipediaHistory
Boston Breakers (1983)
The Boston Breakers were established as one of the original 12 franchises in the United States Football League (USFL), a new professional spring football league announced on May 11, 1982, by promoter David Dixon.[4] The team was owned by Boston businessman George Matthews and former New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Vataha, who secured the franchise to bring professional football to the Boston area amid competition from established NFL and college teams.[5] With limited resources and no major stadium options available—Sullivan Stadium was controlled by the NFL's Patriots—the Breakers settled on Nickerson Field at Boston University as their home venue, a facility with a capacity of 20,535 that was the smallest in the league.[2] The team faced early logistical challenges, including modest startup costs estimated in the low millions for operations and player acquisition, reflecting the USFL's overall budget-conscious expansion model.[5] Under head coach Dick Coury, a veteran of college and World Football League coaching who had previously led the Portland Storm, the Breakers assembled a roster heavy on journeyman players and undrafted talent due to signing difficulties with top draft picks. The 1983 season began on March 6 with a narrow 21-17 road loss to the Tampa Bay Bandits, but the team quickly found its footing, posting an 11-7 regular-season record and finishing second in the Atlantic Division, just one game behind the Philadelphia Stars for the final playoff spot.[6] Key victories included a 21-7 upset over the Denver Gold in Week 2 and a 23-0 shutout of the Oakland Invaders, showcasing improved execution as the season progressed.[7] Quarterback Johnnie Walton, a 36-year-old veteran unretired for the opportunity, anchored the offense with 3,772 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, completing 330 of 589 attempts for a 56.0% rate while ranking second league-wide in those categories.[8] The Breakers' offensive strategy centered on a high-volume passing attack to compensate for a ground game limited by injuries and modest talent, with Walton targeting a mix of slot receivers like Nolan Franz (62 receptions, 1,051 yards) and deep threats such as Charlie Smith.[9] This aerial emphasis produced 399 total points, third-most in the league, though it strained the defense at times. Defensively, the unit allowed 334 points and featured strong pass rush contributions, including efforts from linemen like Ray Ellis, who helped limit opponents to 18.2 points per game in the latter half of the season.[7] Coury's balanced approach earned him USFL Coach of the Year honors, recognizing the team's overachievement on a shoestring budget.[5] Despite on-field success, financial pressures mounted with average home attendance of 12,817—last in the USFL—failing to cover operational costs amid high player salaries and travel expenses in a crowded Boston sports market.[2] Startup investments yielded no profitability, prompting owners Matthews and Vataha to explore relocation options like Seattle and Portland by midseason, ultimately leading to discussions for a sale after the campaign concluded.[5] The low turnout at Nickerson Field, often below 15,000 even for marquee matchups, underscored the challenges of establishing a foothold in a region dominated by winter sports like the Bruins and Celtics.[10]New Orleans Breakers (1984)
In October 1983, the Boston Breakers franchise was sold to New Orleans real estate developer Joseph Canizaro for a reported $8 million and relocated to New Orleans for the 1984 season, primarily due to inadequate attendance and harsh winter weather in Boston that hindered the spring-scheduled USFL.[11][12] The move positioned the team in the Louisiana Superdome, a state-of-the-art venue with a capacity of 72,675, offering a significant upgrade from Boston's smaller and less suitable facilities.[13] Canizaro's acquisition marked a shift toward a more stable local ownership structure, though the franchise faced immediate challenges in adapting to the larger market while contending with the league's competitive landscape.[14] The 1984 New Orleans Breakers opened the season strongly, winning their first five games and reaching 6-1 after seven weeks, which positioned them as contenders in the Eastern Conference's Southern Division.[11] However, the team experienced a pronounced mid-season slump, dropping nine of their final 11 contests to finish with an 8-10 record and third place in the division, ultimately missing the playoffs despite a brief late-season rally.[15] Veteran quarterback Johnnie Walton anchored the offense, passing for 3,554 yards and 17 touchdowns over the full campaign, while the running game provided balance through rookie Buford Jordan's league-leading 1,276 rushing yards and eight scores on 214 carries.[13] In March 1984, the Breakers signed highly touted running back Marcus Dupree to a five-year, $6 million contract, making him the league's first prominent underclassman signee; Dupree contributed 684 yards and nine touchdowns on 145 carries in his debut professional season.[16][17] Key highlights included a 38-9 rout of the Jacksonville Bulls on March 19, where Walton threw touchdown passes of 69 and 70 yards to wide receiver Frank Lockett, showcasing the team's early offensive firepower.[18] Another standout was a 13-10 defensive stand against the San Antonio Gunslingers in the season opener on February 26, setting a tone for the initial hot streak.[13] Yet, defensive vulnerabilities emerged as a recurring issue, particularly in the latter half of the schedule, where the unit surrendered 395 points overall—exceeding the offense's 349—contributing to collapses in games like the 35-13 home loss to the Tampa Bay Bandits on April 16.[19] These lapses, including inconsistent pass coverage and run defense, amplified the mid-season downturn and highlighted roster gaps despite acquisitions aimed at bolstering the backfield. The Breakers drew solid crowds in the Superdome, averaging 30,557 fans per game, which reflected heightened local enthusiasm for professional football in a city without an established NFL presence at the time.[13] Peak attendance reached 45,269 for the home opener against the Memphis Showboats on March 11, underscoring the novelty of USFL play in the venue.[20] However, mounting financial pressures under Canizaro's ownership, including operational costs in the expansive Superdome and broader league uncertainties, fueled discussions of further relocation by late 1984, even as the team showed on-field potential.[21] These strains, exacerbated by the USFL's aggressive spending and antitrust pursuits, foreshadowed the franchise's instability beyond the season.[11]Portland Breakers (1985)
In November 1984, the Breakers franchise relocated from New Orleans to Portland, Oregon, marking its third move in three years as owner Joseph Canizaro sought better proximity to West Coast markets and a stable venue for the USFL's spring schedule, primarily due to anticipated scheduling conflicts with the NFL's New Orleans Saints following the USFL's planned move to a fall schedule in 1986. The relocation was announced on November 13, 1984, allowing the team to play its home games at Civic Stadium, a 60-year-old venue with a capacity of 32,000. Despite the larger stadium compared to previous homes, average attendance was disappointing at 19,919 fans per game across their nine home games, reflecting ongoing challenges in building a loyal fanbase in the new market.[3][2] The 1985 season proved disastrous for the Portland Breakers, who finished with a 6-12 record and placed fifth in the Western Conference under head coach Dick Coury. Quarterback instability defined the offense, with Steve Dils and Steve Bartkowski splitting starts early in the season before Matt Robinson took over as the primary signal-caller, completing passes on 310 attempts amid frequent changes due to injuries and ineffectiveness. Key returning players provided some highlights, including running back Buford Jordan, who rushed for 817 yards on 165 carries, and tight end Dan Ross, the team's leading receiver with 41 catches for 522 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, the team endured humiliating defeats, such as a 45-7 loss to the Houston Gamblers and a 0-33 shutout by the San Antonio Gunslingers, while the defense surrendered an average of 23.4 points per game over the 18-game schedule.[1][22][23] On-field struggles were exacerbated by persistent injuries, a porous defense, and off-field operational issues, including rainy and cool Pacific Northwest weather that deterred spectators and contributed to fan disinterest in a market with limited pro football tradition. The franchise's cumulative financial losses, exceeding $17 million across its three years of existence, reached a breaking point by the end of the 1985 season, prompting Canizaro to fold the team in the summer of 1985 without playing the planned 1986 fall schedule. This collapse occurred against the backdrop of the USFL's failed antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, which resulted in a July 1986 ruling that effectively suspended league operations; the Breakers' assets were subsequently dispersed, and remaining players were released to pursue other opportunities.[24][25]Personnel
Ownership and executives
The Portland Breakers franchise, originally established as the Boston Breakers in the United States Football League (USFL), was initially owned by Boston real estate developer George Matthews and former New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Vataha, who together invested in the team's 1983 startup as one of the league's founding franchises.[26][5] Matthews served as the team's president, overseeing overall operations, while Vataha acted as general manager, managing player contracts and recruitment efforts during the inaugural season.[26][27] Facing dismal attendance at Boston University's Nickerson Field—ranking last in the 12-team league with an average of 12,817 fans per game—the owners pursued relocation options shortly after the 1983 season, ultimately selling a majority stake to New Orleans-based real estate developer Joseph Canizaro, a Mississippi native, for a reported $8 million in October 1983 to facilitate a move to the Superdome in pursuit of stronger southern market potential.[5][11][2] Canizaro, who assumed full control by acquiring the remaining shares from Matthews, directed the franchise's budgets for the 1984 and 1985 seasons, emphasizing cost controls amid escalating league-wide financial pressures.[27] Vataha remained involved as team president under Canizaro's ownership, continuing to handle administrative duties through the subsequent relocations to New Orleans and Portland.[27] The 1983 Boston season underscored early financial challenges, with the team incurring an operating loss of nearly $2.5 million despite an 11-7 on-field record, prompting the ownership's aggressive push for relocation and sale to stabilize the franchise.[28] In New Orleans, Canizaro negotiated a Superdome lease requiring a base rent of at least $20,000 per home game or 7 percent of ticket gross receipts, whichever was higher, as part of broader efforts to leverage the venue's capacity for improved revenue.[29] However, ongoing mismanagement contributed to cumulative losses exceeding $17 million over Canizaro's two full seasons of ownership, including failed negotiations for mergers with other USFL teams such as the Birmingham Stallions in late 1984.[30][21] Following the 1985 season in Portland, where attendance again lagged and debts mounted, Canizaro liquidated the franchise's assets in November 1985, folding the team outright without any attempts to revive it under USFL rules allowing for potential restructuring or sale.[30][31] This decision came amid the league's broader contraction, with Canizaro citing unsustainable operating costs and the absence of viable merger partners as key factors in the Breakers' demise.[21]Coaching staff
Dick Coury served as the head coach of the Breakers franchise throughout its three seasons in the United States Football League (USFL), from 1983 in Boston through 1984 in New Orleans and 1985 in Portland, compiling an overall record of 25–29. Prior to joining the USFL, Coury had established himself as a successful college coach, notably as the inaugural head football coach at California State University, Fullerton, where he led the Titans from 1970 to 1971, achieving a 13–8–1 record. His extensive experience as an NFL assistant, including stints with the Philadelphia Eagles under Dick Vermeil from 1976 to 1981, informed his approach to building competitive teams despite the franchise's frequent relocations and limited resources.[7][13][1][32] The coaching staff under Coury emphasized continuity, with approximately 80% retention from the 1983 to 1984 seasons, including receivers coach Steve Coury (Dick's son), defensive line coach Curt Jones, defensive coordinator Doug Kay, offensive line coach Keith Rowen, and running backs coach Bill Redell. In 1983, the offense operated under a pass-oriented scheme led by offensive coordinator Roman Gabriel, a former NFL quarterback, which propelled the team to an 11–7 record and earned Coury USFL Coach of the Year honors. The following year in New Orleans, Rowen ascended to offensive coordinator while maintaining a balanced attack, though the team finished 8–10 amid transitional challenges. Defensive strategies focused on a versatile secondary under Kay, contributing to solid performances against the run in both seasons.[7][13][33][34] For the 1985 Portland season, the staff saw some adjustments due to the league's instability, with Ernie Allen replacing Kay as defensive coordinator to implement a 3-4 alignment emphasizing linebacker coverage, and Pete Kettela taking over as offensive coordinator. Retained assistants included Steve Coury, Jones, linebackers coach Bob Shaw (promoted from 1984), and special teams coach Frank Bean. Coury's player management was tested early when high-profile running back Marcus Dupree, whom he had successfully integrated after signing the 19-year-old to a five-year, $6 million contract in 1984, suffered a severe knee injury in the season opener, forcing a shift to more conservative play-calling to protect a depleted roster amid mounting injuries. The team ended 6–12, reflecting the toll of these setbacks.[1][16][35][7] Following the USFL's dissolution after the 1985 season, Coury returned to the NFL as an assistant coach, serving in roles such as quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Rams (1986–1987) and wide receivers coach for teams including the Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams until his retirement in 1999. His tenure with the Breakers highlighted his adaptability in managing a nomadic franchise, fostering player development, and maintaining staff stability despite external pressures.[36][37]Players
Notable players
Johnnie Walton served as the starting quarterback for the Boston Breakers in 1983 and the New Orleans Breakers in 1984, throwing for 7,326 yards over his USFL career with a 55.4% completion rate on 610 of 1,101 attempts, along with 37 touchdowns.[38] He led the league in passing yards during the inaugural 1983 season with 3,772 yards and earned second-team All-USFL honors that year.[39] Walton's experience from brief NFL stints with the Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles prior to his USFL career brought veteran leadership to the franchise before he transitioned to coaching with the Portland Breakers in 1985.[39] Marcus Dupree, a highly touted running back acquired by the New Orleans Breakers in 1984, played two seasons with the franchise, rushing for 753 yards on 162 carries and scoring 10 touchdowns while adding 189 receiving yards on 30 catches.[40] Dubbed "The Next Walter Payton" during his high school days at Philadelphia High in Mississippi, Dupree's explosive potential was evident in his rookie year, where he posted multiple 100-yard games despite sharing carries with teammate Buford Jordan.[41] His USFL tenure ended abruptly in 1985 after a knee injury in Portland limited him to one game with 70 rushing yards, after which he briefly returned to college football at the University of Oklahoma before transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi.[42] Buford Jordan emerged as a two-year cornerstone for the Breakers franchise, serving as the primary running back from 1984 onward and amassing 2,093 rushing yards on 379 attempts with 13 touchdowns across his USFL career.[43] In 1984 with New Orleans, he led the team and ranked fourth league-wide with 1,276 yards at an average of 6.0 yards per carry, earning All-USFL second-team recognition.[44] Jordan's consistent production continued in 1985 with Portland, where he rushed for 817 yards, and following the USFL's folding, he was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1986 NFL Supplemental Draft, going on to play seven seasons in the NFL with 687 rushing yards. Dan Ross, a former three-time Pro Bowl tight end with the Cincinnati Bengals, anchored the Breakers' receiving corps from 1984 to 1985, recording 106 receptions for 1,355 yards and 7 touchdowns during his USFL stint.[45] Acquired as a high-profile free agent, Ross provided a reliable target for Walton, leading the team in receiving yards in 1984 with 65 catches for 790 yards while blocking effectively in the run game.[46] His veteran presence from six NFL seasons, where he amassed 3,419 receiving yards, helped stabilize the offense amid the franchise's relocations.[47] In total, 15 players from the Breakers franchise secured spots on NFL rosters following the USFL's demise in 1986, highlighting the talent pipeline developed across Boston, New Orleans, and Portland.[48]Single-season leaders
The single-season statistical leaders for the Breakers franchise highlight individual performances across its three years of existence, focusing on key offensive and defensive categories. These records reflect the USFL's unique rules, such as no overtime during the regular season, which influenced game outcomes and player opportunities. Data is drawn from official team statistics, with leaders determined by primary metrics like yards or totals in each category.1983 (Boston Breakers)
In the inaugural season, quarterback Johnnie Walton anchored the passing game, while running back Richard Crump led the rushers.| Category | Player | Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | Johnnie Walton | 3,772 yards, 20 TD |
| Rushing Yards | Richard Crump | 990 yards, 8 TD |
| Receiving Yards | Charlie Smith | 1,009 yards, 5 TD |
| Sacks | Daryl Wilkerson, Don Phillips, Mike McClain (tied) | 6 sacks each |
1984 (New Orleans Breakers)
The 1984 leaders showcased a balanced attack, with Walton again topping passers and Buford Jordan dominating on the ground.| Category | Player | Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | Johnnie Walton | 3,554 yards, 17 TD |
| Rushing Yards | Buford Jordan | 1,276 yards, 8 TD |
| Receiving Yards | Frank Lockett | 1,199 yards, 8 TD |
| Sacks | Ben AhYou | 9 sacks |
| Interceptions | Bruce Miller | 5 interceptions |
1985 (Portland Breakers)
The final season featured Matt Robinson at quarterback, with Jordan continuing to lead rushers amid a struggling offense.| Category | Player | Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | Matt Robinson | 2,182 yards, 15 TD |
| Rushing Yards | Buford Jordan | 817 yards, 5 TD |
| Receiving Yards | Frank Lockett | 537 yards, 2 TD |
| Sacks | Jearld Baylis | 6.5 sacks |
| Interceptions | Bruce Miller | 6 interceptions |
Seasons and records
Year-by-season standings
The Breakers franchise competed in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985, relocating each year without qualifying for the playoffs in any season.[2][49]| Season | City | W-L-T | Pct. | Finish | Division/Conference | Coach | Stadium | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Boston | 11-7-0 | .611 | 2nd | Atlantic Division | Dick Coury | Nickerson Field | 12,735 |
| 1984 | New Orleans | 8-10-0 | .444 | 3rd | Southern Division (Eastern) | Dick Coury | Louisiana Superdome | 30,557 |
| 1985 | Portland | 6-12-0 | .333 | 5th | Western Conference | Dick Coury | Civic Stadium | 19,919 |